Sodium Pantothenate

What Is It?

Pantethine is composed of two molecules of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). Calcium Pantothenate and Sodium Pantothenate are salts of pantothenic acid. In cosmetics and personal care products, Pantethine, Calcium Pantothenate and Sodium Pantothenate are used primarily in hair care products.

Why Is It Used?

Pantethine, Calcium Pantothenate and Sodium Pantothenate function as hair conditioning agents.

Scientific Facts

In the body, pantothenic acid is converted to Panthethine. Some studies suggest that use of Pantethine as a dietary supplement reduces cholesterol. When used as a dietary supplement, no significant side effects have been reported for either pantothenic acid or Pantethine.

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes Calcium Pantothenate on its list of direct food substances affirmed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). Although safety of Pantethine, Calcium Pantothenate and Sodium Pantothenate has not been specifically assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel, the CIR Expert Panel has examined the safety of panthenol and pantothenic acid. The CIR Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that panthenol and pantothenic acid were safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products. More information about the CIR review of these ingredients can be found on this website by searching for panthenol and pantothenic acid.

FDA: Link to Code of Federal Regulations for Calcium Pantothenate http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

Pantethine, Calcium Pantothenate and Sodium Pantothenate may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_packaging/co0013_en.htm

Resources

Find out more about the regulation of Food Additives by the Food and Drug Administration

Food Ingredients and Packaging: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/default.htm

Food Contact Substances: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/PackagingFCS/default.htm

Substances Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS): http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/default.htm

MedlinePlus https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002410.htm

Search the Code of Federal Regulations http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm

EU Cosmetics Inventory http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/